Turkey and the European Tent

Part I- Shada Islam

YaleGlobal, 11 October 2005

.

Despite a tentative start, the EU entry negotiations for Turkey are a momentous event for the continent. In a two-part series, YaleGlobal examines the ramifications of the Turkey-EU negotiations. In the first installment, journalist Shada Islam explores the positive potential of the talks for both parties. For Turkey, the process will encourage further economic development, as well as greater political role and human rights for its citizens. For Europe, the benefits are manifold. Despite concerns about the economic costs of integration, many observers believe that Turkey's additional workforce will be a boon to regional industry. More striking are the potential cultural effects: the accession of even a secular Muslim state sends an important welcoming message to Europe's Muslim populations, which is depressed by rising European anti-Islamic sentiments. To be sure, many Europeans, both politicians and the public, are uneasy about Turkey's entry, viewing its Muslim character as irreconcilable with the rest of the EU. Clearly, much work lies ahead. "For the first time," Islam writes, "the European leadership must start giving an honest, public account of the many advantages of embracing Turkey as an EU member." If they do so, she concludes, the negotiations will likely build a strong framework for future integration. – YaleGlobal

.

Full-text available, click here.

.

Part II- Mohammed Ayoob

YaleGlobal, 13 October 2005

.

In the second installment of a two-part series on the ramifications of the Turkey-EU negotiations, Mohammed Ayoob wonders if in the end Turkey will be ever be inside the European tent. Turkey became an associate member of the European community in 1963, but has waited more than 40 years for membership talks to begin. In spite of loyal membership in NATO, Turkish citizens are well aware that their European counterparts do not consider them a European nation. Faced with such disapproval, Ayoob predicts that lengthy negotiations will come to naught: either the Europeans will reject Turkey or the exhausted Turks will finally give up. Even without membership, though, the negotiations will have far-ranging effects on Turkish society. Some of these changes are already apparent: advances in human rights and democratic consolidation, for example. Others will unfold in the coming years. Ayoob contends that in response to the European emphasis on religious difference, Turks will become more confident in their Muslim identity and more focused on Middle Eastern politics. "Unless Europe reverses course swiftly and manifests such change through concrete measures," he warns, "the Luxembourg drama may provide the catalyst that is likely to irreversiby change the direction of Turkish foreign policy." – YaleGlobal

.

Full-text available, click here.

.